Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris. The name itself conjures images of movie magic, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and thrilling attractions. But for many Disney enthusiasts, including myself upon my first visit, the reality of WDS can be… different. Having eagerly anticipated exploring this park, ready to discover hidden gems and unique Disney charm, I instead found myself repeatedly drawn back to the enchanting embrace of Disneyland Park, just a short walk away. Was Walt Disney Studios destined to be a misstep in the otherwise stellar Disneyland Paris resort? Was Euro Disney a flop in some ways, at least concerning its second gate? Let’s delve into an honest assessment of Walt Disney Studios, exploring why it often falls short of expectations and examining the significant efforts underway to transform its narrative.
Our day began with the typical Disney excitement. Despite the early hour and lingering ice from a Parisian winter, the anticipation of a new Disney park experience propelled us forward. We had fueled up with a hearty breakfast, ready to tackle the day and experience everything Walt Disney Studios had to offer.
Breakfast at Disneyland Paris
Fresh Omelette
The promise of adventure was in the air, even if the air itself was bitingly cold. We layered up, perhaps overzealously, and made our way, leaving the familiar magic of Disneyland Park behind, at least for the morning.
Sugar Explosion Treat
Intravenous Sugar Explosion
Even the small details, like a charming doorknob, couldn’t distract from the overarching sense of anticipation for the new park.
Charming Doorknob Detail
However, as we ventured towards Walt Disney Studios, the initial impressions began to waver. Fantasia Gardens, usually a vibrant entryway, was subdued, still recovering from the winter’s chill.
Workers Clearing Ice
Walt Disney Studios Entrance
Fantasia Gardens Wintery
Another View of Fantasia Gardens in Winter
And then, there it was: the entrance to Walt Disney Studios. Instead of the grand, immersive gateway we expected, it resembled… an outlet mall. The initial visual impact was jarring, a stark contrast to the meticulously themed environments Disney parks are renowned for.
Walt Disney Studios Entrance Feels Like Outlet Mall
Studio 1 Entrance Resembles an Outlet Mall
Studio 1 Facade Walt Disney Studios Park
This initial underwhelming impression, unfortunately, set the tone for much of our experience. Even the iconic Studio 1, meant to evoke a bustling movie set, felt more akin to a generic airport terminal than a place of cinematic wonder.
Walt Disney Studios Park Entrance in Snow
Ride Disappointments and Layout Labyrinth
Our priority attractions were clear: Crush’s Coaster and Ratatouille: The Adventure, both unique to Disneyland Paris and highly anticipated. Crush’s Coaster, lacking a FASTPASS option and known for long queues, was our first target.
Crush's Coaster Entrance Wait Time
However, upon arrival, we were met with a frustrating standstill. The ride was closed. During Extra Magic Time, no less! Minutes ticked by, stretching into an agonizing wait with no information from cast members about the delay.
Crush's Coaster Closed During Extra Magic Time
Disappointment at Crush's Coaster Closure
Adding insult to injury, we learned Ratatouille was also down. The park’s two flagship attractions, both unavailable during the coveted early entry period. It was a disheartening start, to say the least.
We salvaged the situation by heading to the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, a familiar favorite. While Paris’s version boasts a superior queue with intricate details, the ride system itself is the shorter California iteration. It was enjoyable, but not the unique, Parisian Disney experience we craved.
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Walt Disney Studios
Tower of Terror Queue Details
More Tower of Terror Queue Details
Tower of Terror Queue Atmosphere
Tower of Terror Queue Design
Intricate Tower of Terror Queue
Tower of Terror Queue Lighting
Tower of Terror Queue Theming
Tower of Terror Queue Wall Details
Tower of Terror Queue Ceiling Details
Tower of Terror Queue Interior
Tower of Terror Queue Atmospheric Lighting
Tower of Terror Queue Design Elements
Tower of Terror Queue Intricate Details
Tower of Terror Queue Themed Props
Tower of Terror Queue with Guests
Tower of Terror Ride Vehicle
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Avec Aerosmith was next, another clone, albeit with some minor differences from its US counterpart. While the ride itself was thrilling, the lack of unique Parisian theming continued to contribute to a sense of déjà vu and mild disappointment.
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Entrance
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Ride Elements
Returning to Crush’s Coaster later, we found it operational, but with a staggering 50-minute wait. The single rider line, our hoped-for salvation, remained closed. Undeterred, we optimistically moved on to Ratatouille: The Adventure.
Ratatouille Ride Entrance Sign
The park’s layout further compounded the issues. The placement of Cars Quatre Roues Rallye near Crush’s Coaster, far from the supposed Pixar section, exemplified the park’s disjointed feel. “Shoehorned” and “incongruous” perfectly describe the overall park design, lacking the cohesive and immersive land experiences found in other Disney parks.
Cars Quatre Roues Rallye Ride
Pixar Themed Area Walt Disney Studios
Pixar Midway Signage
Ratatouille: A Glimmer of Hope
The Ratatouille area, however, was a notable exception. This land, meticulously themed to resemble the streets of Paris, offered a glimpse of what Walt Disney Studios could have been from the start. It was well-executed, immersive, and genuinely charming, even if it was a “fake Paris” just outside of the real one.
Ratatouille Themed Area Paris
Ratatouille Area Street Scene
Ratatouille The Adventure Ride Entrance
Remy Statue Ratatouille Area
Ratatouille Area Building Facade
Ratatouille Area Detail Paris Setting
Ratatouille: The Adventure itself was a highlight. With only a 15-minute wait, we rode it twice. The screen-based technology, while not as seamlessly integrated as some other attractions, was still engaging and fun, offering a unique ride experience until its Epcot counterpart debuted.
Ratatouille Ride Vehicle Mouse Shaped
Ratatouille Ride Queue Interior
Ratatouille Ride Queue Detail
Ratatouille Ride Queue Theming Elements
Ratatouille Ride Queue Interior Detail
Mouse Shaped Ride Vehicle Detail
Crush’s Coaster: A Test of Endurance (and Equilibrium)
Determined to conquer Crush’s Coaster, we returned, only to face a 60-minute wait and still no single rider option. The cast member’s apparent indifference to guest inquiries further dampened the experience. We braved the standby line, enduring a lengthy and cold wait.
Crush's Coaster Entrance and Wait Time
Crush's Coaster Line in Cold Weather
Crush's Coaster Standby Line Wait
The queue itself was underwhelming, a dark and bare corridor. Just as we reached the loading area, the single rider line finally opened – a classic Disney Parks “d’oh!” moment.
Crush's Coaster Queue Interior
Crush's Coaster Loading Area
Crush's Coaster Ride Vehicle Design
Crush's Coaster Ride Track
The ride vehicle design proved to be another source of discomfort. An awkwardly placed footwell resulted in a painful and nauseating first ride. Even Patrick, who experienced the ride as intended, found it surprisingly disorienting.
Crush's Coaster Cast Member
A second attempt via the single rider line, this time in a backward-facing seat and with proper foot placement, was marginally better, but the lingering nausea remained. Crush’s Coaster, while unique, became a symbol of the park’s overall frustrating experience.
Crush's Coaster Exit Seating
Crush's Coaster Ride Elements
Crush's Coaster Ride Scene
Crush's Coaster Ride Track Detail
Crush's Coaster Ride Experience
Farewell to Walt Disney Studios (For Now)
Leaving Crush’s Coaster, a sense of park fatigue set in. Walt Disney Studios, with its disjointed layout, lack of immersive theming, and reliance on cloned attractions, felt like a pale imitation of the Disney magic we know and love. Its proximity to the exceptional Disneyland Park only amplified its shortcomings, like a fast-food crown placed beside royal jewels.
Walt Disney Studios Park Exit View
However, even in disappointment, there were moments of Disney charm. The maquettes surrounding the Art of Disney Animation provided a brief, delightful interlude, prompting a fun game of character identification despite the snowy conditions.
Dumbo Maquette Walt Disney Studios
Mulan Maquette Walt Disney Studios
Tarzan Maquette Walt Disney Studios
Mickey Mouse Maquette Walt Disney Studios
Donald Duck Maquette Walt Disney Studios
Tinkerbell Maquette Walt Disney Studios
Hercules Maquette Walt Disney Studios
Esmeralda Maquette Walt Disney Studios
Bacchus Maquette Fantasia Walt Disney Studios
Pinocchio Maquette Walt Disney Studios
Brer Rabbit Maquette Walt Disney Studios
Genie Maquette Walt Disney Studios
As snow fell more heavily, we bid farewell to Walt and Mickey statues, symbolic of our departure and return to the superior park across the way.
Walt and Mickey Statue Exit Walt Disney Studios
Walt Disney Studios Exit Direction Sign
Mickey Statue Directing Exit Walt Disney Studios
Mickey and Walt Statue Whispering Exit
Studio 1, the park’s “Main Street,” proved to be another letdown. Instead of a charming streetscape, it felt like a generic, indoor mall, lacking the individual character and immersive design of a true Disney Main Street.
Studio 1 Interior Walt Disney Studios
Studio 1 Shops and Walkway
Studio 1 Interior Airport Feel
Studio 1 Generic Mall Atmosphere
Studio 1 Souvenir Shops
Studio 1 Quick Service Food Counters
Studio 1 Walkway and Shops
Even the snowy exterior couldn’t fully redeem the park’s aesthetic shortcomings.
Snowy Exterior Walt Disney Studios
Snow Covered Walt Disney Studios Entrance
Mickey Broom Snow Detail Walt Disney Studios
Snowy Mickey Detail Walt Disney Studios
Snowy Scene Walt Disney Studios
A brief detour to World of Disney offered a slightly more positive retail experience, reminiscent of the Tokyo store in its Art Deco design. However, the merchandise itself was largely generic, mirroring offerings found throughout Disneyland Park, highlighting a lack of unique Parisian Disney products.
World of Disney Store Exterior
World of Disney Store Downtown Disney
World of Disney Store Interior Display
World of Disney Store Art Deco Design
World of Disney Store Interior View
World of Disney Store Merchandise Display
World of Disney Store Interior Lighting
World of Disney Store Merchandise Selection
World of Disney Store Interior Merchandise
World of Disney Store Interior Design
World of Disney Store Interior Merchandise Variety
A Park in Transition: The Future of Walt Disney Studios
Despite its initial shortcomings, Walt Disney Studios is undergoing a massive transformation. Disney has recognized the park’s deficiencies and committed billions of euros to a multi-year expansion and reimagining. This ambitious project aims to address many of the criticisms leveled against the park, including the lack of immersive lands, the over-reliance on clones, and the uninspired theming.
The expansion includes entirely new themed lands like Avengers Campus, Worlds of Pixar, and Frozen, promising to inject much-needed Disney magic and immersive storytelling into the park. These additions, along with enhancements to existing areas, signal a significant shift in direction for Walt Disney Studios.
While our initial experience at Walt Disney Studios was undeniably underwhelming, it’s crucial to acknowledge that this park is a work in progress. It’s a park acknowledging its past mistakes and actively investing in a brighter future. Perhaps, in time, Walt Disney Studios will shed its reputation as the “flop” of Disneyland Paris and emerge as a worthy second gate, finally fulfilling its potential to transport guests into the captivating world of movies and entertainment. Our day at Walt Disney Studios may have started shaky, but it served as a firsthand experience of a park on the cusp of significant change – a park striving to become something truly special.
Up Next: Lunch at L’Auberge du Cendrillion!
